Golf glove and system for grip assistance

ABSTRACT

A golf glove and system useful in assisting a person having insufficient control of hand using a golf club to effectively strike a golf ball. The golf glove enables the person having insufficient control of hand to grasp and swing the golf club to effectively strike the golf ball without the assistance of another person.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a golf glove and system useful inassisting a person having insufficient control of one or more of theirhands to use a golf club to effectively strike a golf ball. The golfglove enables the person having insufficient control of one or more oftheir hands to grasp and swing the golf club to effectively strike thegolf ball without the assistance of another person.

2. Related Art

Playing golf requires that a golfer's hand create enough gripping forcewith the club to allow swinging action and impact with the golf ball.Those persons who have insufficient control of their hands or ahandicap, such as an injury or a diseased-induced reduction in thestrength of one or more of their hands, may simply be unable to playgolf because of a lack of the requisite degree of gripping power neededto ensure the appropriate use of the club during the swing and impact ofthe ball.

The use of golf gloves is well-known. Generally, a golf glove is worn onthe hand of the weaker arm. Accordingly, a right-handed golfer wears aglove on their left-hand and vice-versa. The golf glove is designed toprotect the surfaces of the hand from irritation and blistering fromrepeatedly using a golf club during play. However, despite the use of agolf glove, the golfer must still grasp the handle portion of the golfclub with their gloved hand in a firm manner, relying on the muscles intheir hand and forearm to create a sufficiently strong grip so that thegolf club can be effectively used.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,532,344 describes a golf glove and golf club grip havingnon-slip elements and grip positioning surfaces to improve gripping. Theglove and handle are provided with a hooked fabric component on aportion of the palm and a separable fastener area located at the fourthand fifth finger tip areas. This reference is directed to helpingpersons develop the proper grip to play golf. However, this arrangementdoes not provide stability of the golf club to enable a person withlittle or no strength to use a glove that will provide enough grippingforce in the gripping area of the glove to enable the person to graspthe handle of the golf club and swing and strike a golf ball without theassistance of another person.

It is therefore desirable to provide a golf glove with enough grippingforce in the gripping area of the golf glove to enable a person withinsufficient control of their hands to effectively grasp and strike agolf ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An appropriately configured golf glove with enough gripping force in thearea of the finger portions and palm portions of the glove can provideeven a handicapped person with little or no strength in their fingers,palm and forearms with the appropriate gripping force to enable them toplay golf.

Also, a system that uses a golf glove to help a handicapped person withlittle or no strength in their fingers, palm and forearms developstrength and coordination to enable them to play golf and, subsequentlyonce the person's strength and coordination improves the system providesthe appropriately configured golf glove with enough gripping force inthe area of the finger portions and palm portions to enable them to playgolf without the assistance of another person.

The invention provides a system for assisting a person havinginsufficient control of one or more hands to use a golf club foreffectively striking a golf ball. The system includes a golf glovehaving a gripping area. The gripping area includes a digit portion and apalm portion. The digit portion includes a first adhesion material andthe palm portion also includes the first adhesion material. A secondadhesion material is also adapted to be attached to a handle portion ofthe golf club wherein the first adhesion material of the gripping areaof the golf glove is removably connected to the second adhesion materialof the handle portion of the golf club to enable the person havinginsufficient control of hand to use the golf glove on the hand toeffectively strike the golf ball.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a combination for assistinga person having insufficient control of one or more hands to use a golfclub for effectively striking a golf ball. The combination includes agolf glove having a gripping area. The gripping area includes a digitportion and a palm portion. The digit portion includes a first adhesionmaterial and the palm portion also includes the first adhesion material.A second adhesion material is also adapted to be attached to a handleportion of the golf club wherein the first adhesion material of thegripping area of the golf glove is removably connected to the secondadhesion material of the handle portion of the golf club to enable theperson having insufficient control of hand to use the golf glove on thehand to effectively strike the golf ball.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a system havinginstructional material for assisting a person having insufficientcontrol of one or more hands to strengthen and improve coordination ofthe hand and use a golf club for effectively striking a golf ball. Thesystem includes a first golf glove having a palm portion and a wristportion. The palm portion includes a holding bracket attached to thepalm portion and the wrist portion includes a holding strap. The holdingbracket and holding strap secure the hand having insufficient control toa handle portion of the golf club to enable the person havinginsufficient control of one or more hands to improve strength andcoordination of the hand for effectively striking the golf ball. Thesystem also includes a second golf glove having a gripping area. Thegripping area has a digit portion and a palm portion. The digit portionincludes a first adhesion material and the palm portion also includesthe first adhesion material. A second adhesion material is adapted to beattached to the handle portion of the golf club. The first adhesionmaterial of the gripping area of the second golf glove is removablyconnected to the second adhesion material of the handle portion of thegolf club to enable the person having insufficient control of hand touse the second golf glove on the hand for effectively striking the golfball. Also, the instructional material instructs the person havinginsufficient control of one or more hands to use the first golf glove tostrengthen and improve coordination of the hand having insufficientcontrol during use of golf club, and subsequently to use the second golfglove on the hand to use the golf club for effectively striking the golfball without the assistance of another person.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a kit for training a personhaving insufficient control of one or more hands for effectivelystriking a golf ball. The kit includes a first golf glove having a palmportion and a wrist portion. The palm portion includes a holding bracketattached to the palm portion and the wrist portion includes a holdingstrap. The holding bracket and holding strap secure the hand havinginsufficient control to a handle portion of the golf club to enable theperson having insufficient control of one or more hands to improvestrength and coordination of the hand for effectively striking the golfball. The kit also includes a second golf glove having a gripping area.The gripping area includes a digit portion and a palm portion. The digitportion has a first adhesion material. The palm portion also includesthe first adhesion material. A second adhesion material is adapted to beattached to the handle portion of the golf club. The first adhesionmaterial of the gripping area of the second golf glove is removablyconnected to the second adhesion material of the handle portion of thegolf club to enable the person having insufficient control of hand touse the second golf glove on the hand for effectively striking the golfball.

The kit also includes instructional material. The instructional materialinstructs the person having insufficient control of one or more hands touse the first golf glove to strengthen and improve coordination of thehand having insufficient control during use of golf club, andsubsequently to use the second golf glove on the hand for effectivelystriking the golf ball without the assistance of another person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The advantage, nature, and various additional features of the inventionwill appear more fully upon consideration of the illustrativeembodiments now to be described in detail in connection withaccompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of a golf glove for assisting a personwith insufficient control of one or more of their hands.

FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an adhesion material attached to agolf club handle.

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of the golf glove depicted in FIG. 1Aused in combination with the adhesion material depicted in FIG. 1B.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a golf glove for assisting a personwith insufficient control of one or more of their hands to improvestrength and coordination.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of the golf glove depicted in FIG. 3used with a golf club.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of holding bracket and holding strapdepicted in FIG. 3 securing the golf club in a person's hand.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of a kit that includes golf gloves depicted in FIG.1A and FIG. 3 and instructional material that instructs a person withinsufficient control of one or more of their hands to improve strengthand coordination.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference numerals similar orlike elements throughout the several views and initially to FIG. 1Athere is shown an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1Ashows golf glove 10 in accordance with the present invention. Golf glove10 assists a person having insufficient control of one or more of theirhands to grip a golf club and effectively strike a golf ball. Golf glove10 thereby enables a person having insufficient control of one or moreof their hands to grasp and swing a golf club to strike a golf ballwithout the assistance of another person.

Golf glove 10 includes gripping area 11. Gripping area 11 includes digitportion 12 and palm portion 13. Finger portion 12 and palm portion 13include first adhesion material 14. At least three fingers of digitportion 12 include first adhesion material 14 to provide enough grippingforce to enable a person with little or no hand strength to effectivelygrasp and swing the golf club. An exemplary embodiment of adhesionmaterial 14 is a hook and loop fastener system such as Velcro. Otheradhesion materials include but are not limited to glue and adhesivetapes. First adhesion material 14 can be glued, taped or stitched tofinger portion 12 and palm portion 13.

In one embodiment, entire gripping area 11 can be formed of firstadhesion material 14. In an alternative embodiment, golf glove 10 can beformed of adhesion material 14.

FIG. 1B shows second adhesion material 15 attached to handle portion 16of golf club 17. Second adhesion material 15 is designed to be removablyconnected to first adhesion material 14. An exemplary embodiment ofsecond adhesion material 15 is the reciprocal of the hook and loopVelcro fastener used for first adhesion material 14. Other adhesionmaterials include but are not limited to glue and adhesive tapes. Secondadhesion material 15 can be glued, taped or stitched to handle portion16 of golf club 17. In one embodiment, handle portion 16 can be formedfrom second adhesion material 15.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates golf glove 10 being used with secondadhesion material 15 attached to handle portion 16 of the golf club 17.First adhesion material 14 of digit portion 12 and palm portion 13 ofgripping area 111 of golf glove 10 is positioned around and pressed tosecond adhesion material 15 attached to handle portion 16 of golf club17 to removably connect first adhesion material 14 to second adhesionmaterial 15. Pressing first adhesion material 14 to second adhesionmaterial 15 produces an intermeshing or locking of the hooks with theloops, such as in Velcro, to provide a bond of surprising strength andshear to enable a person having insufficient control of one or morehands to effectively grasp the golf club and use the golf club to strikethe golf ball.

Insufficient control of one or more hands includes but is not limited totypes and degrees of disability that follow a stroke such as paralysisor problems controlling movement.

The term “Effectively hit or strike a golf ball” includes but is notlimited to making contact between the golf ball and the golf-club headwhile advancing the golf ball forward to the intended target.

The term “Gripping force” refers to sufficient force to maintain thegolf club in a fixed position within the player's hand with little or noforce exerted by the player's hand.

The term “Coordination” refers to the proper swing motion of a golf clubto effectively hit or strike a golf ball.

FIG. 3 shows golf glove 20 in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. Golf glove 20 assists a person having insufficientcontrol of one or more of their hands to strengthen and improvecoordination of the hand and effectively hit or strike a golf ball witha golf club.

Golf glove 20 includes palm portion 21 and wrist portion 22. Palmportion 21 includes holding bracket 23. An exemplary embodiment ofholding bracket 23 is a bracket with an opening sufficient to permitshaft 18 of golf club 17 to fit within the bracket. Once shaft 18 ofgolf club 17 is received within holding bracket 23, golf club 17 canslide down to enable handle portion 16 of golf club 17 to be positionedwithin holding bracket 23.

Holding bracket 23 is formed of a hardened elastomeric material thatincludes but is not limited to plastic, polyvinyl chloride, and thelike.

Wrist portion 22 includes holding strap 24. Holding strap 24 includesfront portion 25 and rear portion 26. Front portion 25 and rear portion26 include adhesion material 27. An exemplary embodiment of adhesionmaterial 27 is a hook and loop fastener system such as Velcro. Otheradhesion materials include but are not limited to glue and adhesivetapes. Adhesion material 27 can be glued, taped or stitched to holdingstrap 24.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates golf glove 20 being used with golf club17. Shaft 18 of golf club 17 is positioned within holding bracket 23 andslid down to position handle portion 16 of golf club 17 within holdingbracket 23. Holding strap 24 is wrapped around golf club 17 withinholding bracket 23 and around a hand of a person which has insufficientcontrol. Holding strap 24 is tightened and front portion 28 holdingstrap 24 having adhesion material 27 is pressed to adhesion material 27of rear portion 29 of holding strap 24 to produce an intermeshing orlocking of the hooks with the loops, such as in Velcro, to secure golfclub 17 within holding bracket 23 and to the person's hand havinginsufficient control. Other tightening means for holding strap 24include but are not limited to locking brackets, or ring systems, suchas those used with clothing belts, clothing straps, and clothingsuspenders.

Golf glove 20 could be used to enable the person to effectively improvestrength and coordination of their hand and to use golf club 17 tostrike or hit a golf ball. Subsequently, after the person improves theirstrength and coordination of one or more hands by using golf glove 20,the person can use glove 10 depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 6 is a diagram of Kit 40 in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. Kit 40 includes instructional material 41 thatinstructs the use of the golf glove 10 and golf glove 20 to developstrength and coordination, and to effectively enable a person havinginsufficient control of one or more hands to use a golf club foreffectively striking a golf ball. For example, instructional material 41can include an operating manual, video, DVD and the like.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a system that caninclude golf glove 10, golf glove 20, second adhesion material 15, andinstructional material 41 to enable a person to effectively developstrength and coordination, and to effectively enable the person havinginsufficient control of one or more hands to use a golf club foreffectively striking or hitting a golf ball.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments areillustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodimentswhich can represent applications of the principles of the invention.Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised inaccordance with these principles by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A system for assisting a person having insufficient control of one ormore hands to use a golf club for effectively striking a golf ball, saidsystem comprising: a golf glove comprising a gripping area, saidgripping area having a digit portion and a palm portion; said digitportion comprising a first adhesion material; said palm portioncomprising said first adhesion material; and a second adhesion materialadapted to be attached to a handle portion of the golf club wherein saidfirst adhesion material of said gripping area of said golf glove isremovably connected to said second adhesion material of said handleportion of the golf club to enable the person having insufficientcontrol of hand to use said golf glove on the hand to effectively strikethe golf ball.
 2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said digitportion comprises at least three fingers.
 3. The system according toclaim 1 wherein said digit portion comprises four fingers and a thumb.4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said gripping area comprisesan entire inner surface of said golf glove.
 5. The system according toclaim 1 wherein said golf glove is formed of said first adhesionmaterial.
 6. The system according to claim 1 wherein said first adhesionmaterial and said second adhesion material are a loop and hook fasteningsystem.
 7. A combination for assisting a person having insufficientcontrol of one or more of their hands to use a golf club for effectivelystriking a golf ball, said combination comprising: a golf glovecomprising a gripping area, said gripping area having a digit portionand a palm portion: said digit portion comprising a first adhesionmaterial; said palm portion comprising said first adhesion material; asecond adhesion material adapted to be attached to a handle portion ofthe golf club, where said second adhesion material of said handleportion of the golf club is removably connected to said first adhesionmaterial of said golf glove to assist the person having insufficientcontrol of one or more of their hands to use the golf club foreffectively striking the golf ball.
 8. The combination according toclaim 7 wherein said digit portion comprises at least three fingers. 9.The combination according to claim 7 wherein said digit portioncomprises four fingers and a thumb.
 10. The combination according toclaim 7 wherein said gripping area comprises an entire inner surface ofsaid golf glove.
 11. The combination according to claim 7 wherein saidgolf glove is formed of said first adhesion material.
 12. Thecombination according to claim 7 wherein said first adhesion materialand said second adhesion material are a loop and hook fastening system.13. A golf glove for assisting a person having insufficient control ofone or more hands to use a golf club for effectively striking a golfball, said golf glove comprising: a golf glove comprising a grippingarea, said gripping area having a digit portion and a palm portion: saiddigit portion comprising a first adhesion material; and said palmportion comprising said first adhesion material, wherein said firstadhesion material of said golf glove is removably connected to a secondadhesion material attached to a handle portion of the golf club toassist the person having insufficient control of one or more hands usingthe golf club for effectively striking the golf ball.
 14. The golf gloveaccording to claim 13 wherein said digit portion comprises at leastthree fingers.
 15. The golf glove according to claim 13 wherein saiddigit portion comprises four fingers and a thumb.
 16. The golf gloveaccording to claim 13 wherein said gripping area comprises an entireinner surface of said golf glove.
 17. The golf glove according to claim13 wherein said golf glove is formed of said first adhesion material.18. The golf glove according to claim 13 wherein said first adhesionmaterial and said second adhesion material are a loop and hook fasteningsystem.
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